Miners Rest Kindergarten Philosophy

Welcome to Miners Rest Kindergarten where children are at the heart of everything we do. We value our relationships with children, families and the Miners Rest community.

We value families as the first educators as we listen actively and embrace family insights We enrich the learning experience created through meaningful partnerships; daily interactions, communication through our digital platform and family sharing sessions throughout the year. We welcome diversity and invite families to share their unique knowledge, culture and skills.

Our kindergarten community is driven by collaborative spirit that values individuality while playing to each educator’s strengths. This is reflected through open communication, mentoring, and seamless engagement with parents and professionals.

We believe each child can reach their full potential through providing an environment where high expectations, inclusion, diversity and cultural identity are embedded in our practices. Through the provision of a daily routine children are welcomed, feel safe and secure. By partnering with external supports and families we value the input to assist the children to thrive.

We are guided by our knowledge of the NQS, VEYLDF and the child safe standards. Our play based approach provides a shared vision and commitment to observing, planning, programming and setting SMART goals for all children. Our planning cycle responds to the needs and interest of the children, enhancing and enriching children’s learning promoting child voice. We encourage risk taking through engaging in the natural environment and promoting child autonomy where children learn and test their own limits. Through intentional teaching we scaffold and instruct the children by promoting wellbeing through the Resilience Project, Zones of Regulation and green and red choices.

We are passionate about embedding sustainable practices within our kindergarten and fostering a love, care and respect for the environment as children are our future. We embed sustainable practices within our programming including; explicitly teaching children about sustainability, using natural materials, making

links to Indigenous culture and care for country, recycling practices, collecting food scraps for our worm farms and caring for plants.

We acknowledge the kindergarten environment as the third educator, fostering communication, relationships, independence and curiosity. We strive to create a calm, engaging and safe environment using natural materials, inclusive play spaces and open ended materials. Children’s emotional regulation is supported through the inclusion of a calm corner which includes sensory, emotional and relaxation tools.

We strive to foster a positive transition, ensuring children are provided with the best opportunity to continue to develop their social, emotional and academic skills, preparing them for success in their educational journey. We welcome and collaborate with all schools relevant to our children’s transition. Our strong two-way partnership with Miners Rest Primary school allows us to regularly visit the school through our library program, access to a designated kinder school classroom, gymnasium and Foundation playground. Relationships are nurtured through our Buddy Program, teacher visits and shared staffing. Our partnership with our OSHC Program and community playgroup further promote relationships and a sense of comfort and belonging.

We are a collaborative team committed to learning and growing alongside the children in which we teach. Through our professional learning, school readiness funding and collaboration with external services we aim to meet the needs of all children and families within our service.

Our goal is to foster lifelong learning.

MRK Team

Fees

As part of the Victorian State Governments ongoing commitment to early years, to ensure every child gets the best start in life, from 2023 kindergarten will be free for both three- and four-year-old programs.

Session Times

Session times are available from the reception – 5334 6328